Orji Kalu's First Day in Prison - How the Seeds Were Sown in Our Days at Government College Umuahia.

Around 1976, Orji Uzor Kalu was one of the students attracted, and possibly, headhunted into Government College Umuahia (GCU) by the Principal, O.O. Otisi. The Principal had eased the mobility of footballers into the college with the aim of strengthening the legs of the school senior football team towards winning the Academicals Cup.

It turned out that Orji Kalu who came along with players like Okey Uduko, Ohaka, etc was anything but a footballer. It wasn't long before a good number of his new school mates began to feel that he had opportunistically exploited the policy to transfer himself from a regional champion, Eziama Boys Secondary School, to the globally-branded Government College Umuahia. The students were very proud of their school and of themselves, in the light of the very high academic standards they surmounted to gain Admission. It was bad enough that O.O. had lowered the bar. It was unbearable that one of those for whom the bar was lowered did not bring along the expected value in the area of football prowess. If the school had lashed at Orji Uzor Kalu at this juncture with a reprimand for what was perceived as deception, Orji may have begun that early to realize that there could be unsavory consequences for tricks of confidence. But he got away with it.

On arriving 'Umuahia', as Government College Umuahia is sometimes fondly called, Orji Kalu naturally hung out with his ABU (Aba Brought Up) colleagues, particularly the Ex Eziama footballers. He would religiously escort them to Lower Field for football practice. Junior students helped to carry needed materials like football, first-aid box, etc and Orji Kalu'd guard the items by the sidelines of the field as they practiced. After a while, he began to arrogate to himself the title of Team Manager. Again, Orji Uzor Kalu got away with it.

GCU is not a very easy place for students who join in any year later than class one. Such a joiner is called a WHITE SHIRT and subjected to untold bullying (refered to in the school as molestation, harassment and punishment) by seniors, classmates and even confident juniors. Orji Kalu managed to escape the bullying by pressing his false identify as a school senior team footballer. Infact, he even became privileged, like other players. They were exempted from promptness for breakfast at the dinning hall, they were not checked for attending Morning Assembly and even attending the first two or three lessons in class. Players would stroll into class long after other students had taken a number of lessons and were preparing for break. Lunch hour promptness which was a rule in GCU was also below them. Same for dinner. Whereas students that are late to the refectory are denied food, school players had their meals specially reserved for them and even brought back to the hostel. Such were the privileges that Orji Uzor Kalu enjoyed and appropriated by supposedly being a school footballer - which he really wasn't. At this stage, he had learnt to play the system against itself. He had begun to note that rules are for dummies and that there is neither absolute black or white, only shades of grey.

Academically, Orji Kalu wasn't the brightest in his class. Let's say he wasn't bright at all. But he was bold, audacious and pretentious. What he lacked in classroom strength, he more than had in social skills. By the time football season ended, Orji had become so entrenched in the system and, like many of us, he'd learnt how to play school criminal ('crimgwo'). The problem is that he had learnt how to benefit from the underbelly of the school without ever paying his dues. He didn't grow in the system and couldn't grow the system. In his mind, he remained an outsider, appropriating any benefit he could and not paying any tax to support and grow the system. I'm of the impression that Orji Kalu remains till this day a WHITE SHIRT in his heart and in his head. On the inside, his school shirt never really transmuted to pink, our unique weekday school uniform. He remains a bird of passage, a visitor. It's doubtful, for instance if Orji Kalu can remember that the school's acronym, GCU was sometimes said to mean Grass Cutting University. It's doubtful if he knows the underpinnings of the School's quasi Motto, OBC (Obey Before Complain). There's no better evidence of this than the fact that after 8 years as Governor of Abia state in which the school is located, one didn't see him raise a finger to support the many efforts of the vibrant Old Boys Association. It isn't that he was not reminded. He had all the reminding in the world. But he saw our Noble Alma mater as a territory he conquered on his way to the top. To him, it was a prostitute to transact with at a time of need, not a girlfriend, concubine, wife or mother which features looped intricacies. I hear that the situation is worse with Eziama Boys in the sense that he doesn't even want people to know he ever stepped foot at Eziama Boys as a student. Around 1999 some of our classmates said they were noticing a claim in his public profile that he had attended Barewa College. And they were wondering if it was after or before Government College Umuahia. Of course, Barewa College is reputed to have produced more than a fair share of leaders of Northern Nigeria, including, at least, 3 Presidents. So, it's understandable that an identification with Government College Umuahia would reduce his platform for interacting with northerners whose favor he may specifically have targeted for whatever reason. It has therefore to be Barewa College. By magic, Orji Uzor Kalu became an old boy of Barewa College, Zaria.

Back to the narration about Orji at GCU. After the football season, he became friends with Ukata (I think, the son of a High Court Judge). They were often seen together. I remember one evening when many boys drooled as these two boys strolled with Miss Otulaja, a female corper, down the long stretch that runs from from the roundabout near the Principal's quarter to the Parade Ground. For all one knows, the young female corper may just have sought a stroll; but the interpretations of that party stroll had ethereal dimensions.

Orji Kalu's association with Ukata enjoyed an infamous bout of publicity sometime around 1978 when the Debating Society of an all-girls high school had an interaction with the GCU debating society. Such interactions usually commence with interschool debates or quizes and end in ballroom dancing, with exchanges of contacts which mark the possible commencement of amorous relationships. On this occasion, Orji and Ukata disappeared with two of the visiting girls for a large number of minutes. At Assembly the next Monday, the Principal, O.O. Otisi made a public show of them. He said they had claimed that the two girls wanted to drink water, they took them where they could give them water. "And, I suppose, you watered them" the Principal added, to the wild amusement of students and teachers. Orji and Ukata were reprimanded and punished. I don't remember what the exact punishment was, but I remember that I was mortified by the impunity of Orji Kalu and Ukata. That they were not expelled gives an indication that Orji and his friend got away with a slap on the wrist. Once more, the young man was being taught that there are no limits, no bounds. For a school that took breaking of bounds very seriously, Orji had simply achieved the equivalent of getting away with murder. In future engagements with the society, one will see Orji Kalu riding roughshod over laws, rules, policies, persons and people. Let's face it. The Seeds were sown at Government College Umuahia.

I don't know how Orji Kalu's WASC result turned out. But I will not be surprised if it was a straight F9 failure in all subjects. His classmates didn't expect him to pass any subject. Nobody could even tell if he was inclined towards the sciences, arts or technicals (Technical Drawing, Metal Work, Wood Work). He was just present. In the academic space, Orji Kalu may as well not have existed. Nobody could bother to contemplate his future with an University in view.

Orji Kalu lacked capability in all subjects. If he wanted to be frank, he wouldn't lay claim to even average status in any subject. Particularly, not in English Language which was a natural Credit for all Umuahians. Infact, rather than just a fail in English Language, Orji Kalu's classmates expected him to fail woefully and "lose his deposit" (the political language and practice in 1979 when we sat WASC).

GCU had and still has an automatic English language-improvement culture embedded in
(1) good teaching,
(2) english-everywhere-at-all-times,
(3) ridicule by peers and juniors for wrong grammar, and
(4) bullying by seniors for language errors. Even students who arrived GCU with terribly poor grasp of verbs and grammatical constructs naturally self-corrected after the first year. Orji Kalu remains the only person, living or dead who, to the best of my knowledge speak better English after one year in Government. I still don't know how someone can form big boy with mishmash tenses. Even as Governor of Abia state, decades after graduating from our super ivy league GCU, he was still mixing verbs like a comedian immitating a poor village primary school pupil. The story of how he achieved this infamy is instructive and related to his comfort with self-destructive impunity.

Orji Kalu came into Government College Umuahia with a poor academic background from Eziama Boys High School, Aba. Having positioned himself as a footballer (which it turned out that he wasn't), he would watch over the items of Members of the University Senior Football Team as they practiced each morning. While that gave him a sense of belonging in the school team, it robbed him of hours of learning in which he could have improved his verbiage. Moreover, as a privileged "footballer," he wasn't subjected to the peer ridicule and correction by which many of us improved our grammar. So, untaught and uncorrected, Orji emerged a dubious ambassador of Government College Umuahia. A fruit that in no way represents the tree. Even decades after he left secondary school and became Governor of Abia State, his English continued to be an embarrassment. In playing the system, he had played himself big time. Igbos say the man who tenders the wrong foot to an orthopedic surgeon in the hope of avoiding the pain that goes with the treatment of a broken bone will surely end up with a limp. Orji Uzor Kalu's grammar limps. And so does his fate as he spends his full day today behind the high walls of a correctional facility - not as a visitor, not as a guest, but as a resident, a prisoner. Not a prisoner of conscience. But a prisoner, prisoner. Orji Uzor Kalu, the boy who came to Government College Umuahia over four decades ago with unsubstantiated claims of football prowess has become an awardee for a crime against the state.

In sentencing Orji Uzor Kalu, the judge stated that she couldn't agree more with the prosecution that this Ex-Umuahian literally packed 7.1 billion Naira from Abia State over which he superintended and shifted it in broad daylight to his private limited liability company, Slok. As I read reports of the charges and judgement, I couldn't help but perceive that Orji Uzor Kalu may have gotten to the stage where he approached the stealing of government funds without sense, without brain, and without care. That's what Impunity does. That's what getting away lightly with offenses at GCU 40 years ago has now led him into. Impunity lowers one's sense of caution. It endues the bearer with foolishness, assuring him that he'd get away with the present act as he's gotten away with earlier ones. A false sense of reality. A false sense of right and a warped sense of the not-so-right.

Impunity has turned out a big betrayer. Over time, it had lulled Orji Uzor Kalu into a false sense of security. And time kept watch. Time has turned out again to be on the side of the law. Any lesson here?

READ MORE https://ikengachronicles.com/orji-kalus-first-day-in-prison-how-the-seeds-were-sown-in-our-days-at-government-college-umuahia/

"Time has turned out again to be on the side of the law" you said.
We are patiently waiting for same time to turn again on the side of the law against all public servants in Nigeria from 1999 till date...Presidents Obj, Yar'Adua, Jonathan/ Patience and Buhari. All former and present Govs in Nigeria ( Tinubu, Saraki, Amaechi, Fashola, Akpabio, Odili,Nnamani, Chime,TAOrji, Okorocha, Udenwa, Yari, Adamu, Bafarawa, Bello, Makarfi,Suswan, Akume etc etc), all former and present senators (Mark, Saraki, Wabara, Anyim, Nzeribe, Zwjngina, Aminu etc etc)and MHORs, all LG chair. Then Nigeria will dey alright

Once a thieve is always a thief

kalu

He is a scammer and demonic..He,his mother,and his brother.The only Gov till today Abians do not know what happened to his wife.

He ran a mamacracy govt According to his successor ,TA Orji.even though both are like the proverbial derelict mortar and rotten palm nuts!None is better.

Till today his father sells iron hangars at Ngwa rd mkt,has disassociated himself from his illgotten wealth .
If You visit Camp Neya at Igbere,you'd weep for Abia.A castle is standing there.He played host to Obj,Ibb and alot of political heavyweights.How many ppl are living there ?
It was only but a matter of time.

OUK,i wish you'd rot in hell.Even Though we Dont know how You manipulate d the senatorial results,how You foisted your chief of staff who was sworn in from Owerri prisons to Abians;T A who would later be your Nemesis quickly laid the blocks for the fondation of putrid filth My darling state has become.You were ofcourse the architect an your mom,Odiukonamba,the surveyor

Your Fathers words will be ringing in ur ears,an errant child.You will end up the way Abia is including All your supporters and Those shouting Witchhunting.

Behold the Emir of Kuje Prison

It doesn’t matter whether seeds were sown or not. Was he corrupt? Was he convicted by a court with jurisdiction YES.
That’s all that matters. My hope is that every other corrupt hediots face same punishment or worse!

Leave Igbo people alone haba Yoruba

Orji

If God wants to bring a man down, even the mighty hands of the most influential and wealthy men will not be able to lift him up.

OUK crossed to APC and was dinning with them all because he wants his SINS forgiven

Let's the bascart rot in jail

I am using this medium to congratulate orji uzor kalu on the move to his new home, the correctional centre (prison)

E don tey wen yansh dey for back.

The writer of this is a fool i school at Eziama high school at Aba had friends too at Government college umuahia OUK saw opportunity and used it his a goal getter yeah he may have steal public fund but he its a good man, don't come write nonsense because of self hate to him no politics or political body in Nigeria its clean deal with it and less you forget OUK used his opportunity very well both in creating jobs and to the masses in quote remember he can still appeal the judgment

Orji Kalu was dining with the devil but he forgot to use a long fork.

heniford2:
The writer of this is a fool i school at Eziama high school at Aba had friends too at Government college umuahia OUK saw opportunity and used it his a goal getter yeah he may have steal public fund but he its a good man, don't come write nonsense because of self hate to him no politics or political body in Nigeria its clean deal with it and less you forget OUK used his opportunity very well both in creating jobs and to the masses in quote remember he can still appeal the judgment

All thieves and their supporters will be disgraced soon. Abia must be free

OUK is a very clever crook with deceptive altruistic claims and actions, a master at the game of ‘playing the system to be on top’

The likes of Okorocha,T Orji,Duke,Akpabio,Ohakim,Dariye,Ibori and many others are at different levels of the same pathway.

Truth is, he’s not alone on this as several other politicians especially from Imo and Abia have perfected the act of dubiously entrenching themselves in and on the system with terrible impunity.

These traits are covertly or overtly nurtured from childhood and some end up successfully going through life with it.

I am aware every society in the world has people of his kind but it is the duty of the legal system and the assertiveness of the people that puts an early stop to their activities in saner climes.

For those that are in this kind of path of life, the moral is summed up in this quote;

‘The arc of the moral universe may be long but it ends up in natural justice’

Selah!

What of Peter Obi?

heniford2:
The writer of this is a fool i school at Eziama high school at Aba had friends too at Government college umuahia OUK saw opportunity and used it his a goal getter yeah he may have steal public fund but he its a good man, don't come write nonsense because of self hate to him no politics or political body in Nigeria its clean deal with it and less you forget OUK used his opportunity very well both in creating jobs and to the masses in quote remember he can still appeal the judgment

Truly, you attended Eziama High School.

[s]

Commentor:


Truly you attended Eziama High School.

[/s]

[s]

Commentor:
What of Peter Obi?

[/s]

Welldone sir

heniford2:
The writer of this is a fool i school at Eziama high school at Aba had friends too at Government college umuahia OUK saw opportunity and used it his a goal getter yeah he may have steal public fund but he its a good man, don't come write nonsense because of self hate to him no politics or political body in Nigeria its clean deal with it and less you forget OUK used his opportunity very well both in creating jobs and to the masses in quote remember he can still appeal the judgment

What manner of good man steals public fund or is thier another meaning of been good??

Speak igbo language.

heniford2:
The writer of this is a fool i school at Eziama high school at Aba had friends too at Government college umuahia OUK saw opportunity and used it his a goal getter yeah he may have steal public fund but he its a good man, don't come write nonsense because of self hate to him no politics or political body in Nigeria its clean deal with it and less you forget OUK used his opportunity very well both in creating jobs and to the masses in quote remember he can still appeal the judgment

johnmartus:
Speak igbo language.

i don't have time for you i was born and brought up in aba abia state schooled at eziama high school close to PZ Aba lives in OUK its a good man forget the political plot against him.

LadySarah:
He is a scammer and demonic..He,his mother,and his brother.The only Gov till today Abians do not know what happened to his wife.

He ran a mamacracy govt According to his successor ,TA Orji.even though both are like the proverbial derelict mortar and rotten palm nuts!None is better.

Till today his father sells iron hangars at Ngwa rd mkt,has disassociated himself from his illgotten wealth .
If You visit Camp Neya at Igbere,you'd weep for Abia.A castle is standing there.He played host to Obj,Ibb and alot of political heavyweights.How many ppl are living there ?
It was only but a matter of time.

OUK,i wish you'd rot in hell.Even Though we Dont know how You manipulate d the senatorial results,how You foisted your chief of staff who was sworn in from Owerri prisons to Abians;T A who would later be your Nemesis quickly laid the blocks for the fondation of putrid filth My darling state has become.You were ofcourse the architect an your mom,Odiukonamba,the surveyor

Your Fathers words will be ringing in ur ears,an errant child.You will end up the way Abia is including All your supporters and Those shouting Witchhunting.

Behold the Emir of Kuje Prison

Heard so much about this guy from one of the sons of the Anglican bishop of aba. I mean, if that man is in my neborhood from what I heard, I will lock myself inside house till he is gone. The wife was mad throughout his tenure thanks to his mum. I wonder how far with that wicked woman now. People that served at her house were meant to worship her. This man thought he was invincible,fought obasanjo but obj grounded him in the end.

Solsix:

What manner of good man steals public fund or is thier another meaning of been good??

mention any political officer both presents and past who do not steal public fund before just mention one OUK steal yes we agree but dude help his people not only that he used his opportunity to create job for some if your giving any appointment in politics you will steal too

Nigerian politicians would soon start building yankee standard prisons and upgrading the old one's with modern facilities in preparation for retirement
From Governor to Senator to being a prisoner
You may also choose to say it this way
From government house to Senate to prison
OUK's case is a welcome development.
Who is next

heniford2:
mention any political officer both presents and past who do not steal public fund before just mention one OUK steal yes we agree but dude help his people not only that he used his opportunity to create job for some if your giving any appointment in politics you will steal too

You just nailed yourself with your shallow way of reasoning

Obakoolex:


You just nailed yourself with your shallow way of reasoning

And writing....

Facing justice

Did you know his private jet, the Gulfstream G650 once had a waiting list of 4years? As at 2013, if you booked then, you'd have to wait till 2017 before getting your plane.

Did I mention it cost $65m??

heniford2:
The writer of this is a fool i school at Eziama high school at Aba had friends too at Government college umuahia OUK saw opportunity and used it his a goal getter yeah he may have steal public fund but he its a good man, don't come write nonsense because of self hate to him no politics or political body in Nigeria its clean deal with it and less you forget OUK used his opportunity very well both in creating jobs and to the masses in quote remember he can still appeal the judgment

I just weak. Your case is worse than your master's. Poor grasp of reality, absolute lack of judgment, zero common sense and a wack grasp of sentence construction in English language. Obviously your meal ticket is now a convicted felon.
What a disgrace to humanity you are...